Torque tester



May 2, 1944. R H` QRIPPS 2,348,175

` :'oRQUE TESTER Filed March 24, 1941 Ray H. Crfw;

ATTORNEY;

Patented May 2, 1944 UNITED STAT Eis; PATENT oli-FI Tortosa 'rEsrEa Itiay H. Cripps, South Gate, Califa, assigner to Sawyer ElectricalK Mfg. Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporationof California..

Application March 24, 194.1,` Serial'No. 3.8.4,91'1

This invention relates. to a device `for determining the torque output of motors.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device for determining the torque, of

high cycle induction motors which the; speed of the motor is varied by changing the frequency of its power supply.A d,

Another object of the invention is to provide a device suitable for the determination of srna'll torques at high speeds. of rotation. l

These and other objects of the invention will. be clear from the following detailed description and the. accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 isa sectional view through an eddy current dynamometer suitable for use in this invention; and

Fie. 2 is aY diagrammatic representation ofthe different ,parts of the vequipment showing the electrical connections.

The invention is particularly adapted for testiris the torque output of, variable sneed insu-uetion motors inwhich the speed is varied by changingthe frequency of the currentv supply,l the. speedj increasing as the frequency increases since' lSpead is roughly proportional to. frequency.. Different types of' dynamorneters can be usedvto measure the torque such as eddy current; iiuid friction, or solid friction dynamometersl of dif'- ferent construction. For the purpose of illus-V tration'an eddy current dynamorneter is shownk since this is a simple and highly suitable type, but it is to be understood that other types can be used aswell.

Referring to the drawing; and at first to Figure 1, the eddy current-dynarnometer IJ has al magnetic outer shell or casing 2 with ribs 3 for thedsspation of heat.l A field coil 4 produces a magnetic' flel'dwhichy passesthrough the outer shelland` then longitudinally of' its axis through `magnetic insertsr 5 and the gaps 6 between them;- -The magnetic inserts are supported by non-magment tov the `motor whichis4 to have its torqueV determined. The shaft is rigidly fastened tof discs II which are free to revolve in gaps 6E when thefshaft 8 isrotated.v Iiheqdiscs may be of aluminum. or other suitable conductingmateriar.v

When the field; oeil 4 isf-excited@ produce al magnetic lield across the gaps motion of the'disos transverse to theiieldy sets ue. eddy trieffiises .and aftoroue .is exorteden the cuter she11-. outer-.she1l issuprorted suitable supports: and has alever arm or other device for measuriuethe torque These features. are riot shown iu 'the urawire they are Well known' t0 the. art and' form no. part, of this invention. The structurev and operation oi the dynamonieter as desoribed up tofliero are. also suoli as are oilstornaryin dynarnonieters of this type.

'I o adapt adynamorneter for use in connection with. this; invention.. a high frequency iu-` duction motor lZis mounted with. its stator I3. rigidly secured by bolts. [4 to the outer shell of the dynamometer. The rotor 'lvis mounted ou'shait 8 The. purr-ose of this ausiliari! 01.' booster motor will be explained hereinafter.

Assume for the moment. that rio @moet is supplied to the auxiliary induction motor l2 and that the oyuarnorueter is used iu the usual. tray to. measuretoroiia. The motor I6.' for Wiiioh. the torque is to be. determined is set uo. with its shaft engaging. coupling Ul. Current of a, given iref quenoy is. sillonlied to the motor Iii., the frequency deterruiuiriefits speed of rotation 'at Zero. sliu With Constant.' supply ireouerioythe torque @au be varied by' chanoine theesoitatiou of iiield coil 4', ami a series. of; measurements Carr be taken which. will show. for a. Xed freouerioy applied tov the motor beine testeo. the relations. between torque, slip speed; power output.. andV power iiiput., The series een loe. repeated for as marry different supply frequencies as are desired The minimum torque which @au loe measured any spoed o1", rotation corresponds to aero. maenetic field inv the eddy current dynarnprneter. This will beolotained with zero excitation .of the eldj coil, or with just suflcient reverse current tofneutralize any permanent magnetism. When this condition is satislied, there will be no electromagnetic drag between the rotor of the .dynamometer and the outer shell.l Whatever torque is exerted on the outer shell will be'due to friction of the bearings and to fluid friction of the air in gaps. At low speeds both will be small so that torques down to substantially aero can beameasuredf by the dynamometer without alteration. But at high speeds gf rotation ci. the dynamometer shaft, the minimum torque will be considerable since the fluid friction inthe gaps increases rapidly with increasedspeeds, and, as a consequence, whenused at hig'hspeeds the simple eddycurrent dy-namometer is incapable or measuring: torques below a certain minimum Value which may loe a large fracticncf the' full load torque or a high power motor, or which may @Voir .be more than .the vfullloald torqueof a .small nietorf This invention makes it possible to test high cycle induction motors at high speeds over the complete range from substantially Zero to full load torque, including low horse power motors which at high speeds develop a full load torque less than the minimum torque for the dynamometer at zero magnetic field. A suitable arrangement is shown schematically in Fig. 2. The motor I6 being tested is supplied with variable frequency current from alternator I'I driven by a motor I8 or any other suitable source of power which can be varied in speed so as to change the frequency of the alternator and hence the` speed of motor I6. The motor is coupled to the dynamometer through coupling I0.

A suitable frequency changer may consist of an induction motor I9 driving an alternator 20. The induction motor I9 of the frequency changer is supplied with current of the same frequency as that supplied to the motor I under test, and will run at approximately the same speed if the two motors have the same number of poles, or at a rational multiple or sub-multiple of this speed if they have a different number of poles. The alternator or generator 20 of the frequency changer is driven by motor I9 through a variable speed drive 2| which may be of any suitable type. By varying the ratio of variable speed transmission 2|, the current from generator 20 can be made to have the same, a greater, or a lesser frequency than the current from generator I'I, or the same, a greater, or lesser frequency than a rational multiple or sub-multiple of the frequency. In either case, there will be, for a fixed ratio of the variable speed transmission 2|, a substantially constant ratio between the frequencies produced by generators II and 20, any increase or decrease in the frequency from generator I causing an increase or decrease in the speed of motor I9 and a corresponding change in the frequency put out by generator 20. In other words, one frequency is approximately proportional to the other with only slight departures from exact proportionality due to small changes in the slip of motor I9 as the load upon its generator is changed. The ratio between the frequencies of the two generators is varied by changing the ratio of the variable speed transmission 2|. The current from generator 20 is supplied to motor I2 mounted on the dynamometer.

Assume, for the purpose of illustration, that it is desired to test a motor at 12,000 R. P. M. and that at this speed a particular dynamometer absorbs l0 I-I. P. when no current is supplied to motor I2 and the field coil 4 is not excited. This speed and horse power consumption correspond to a torque of 263 pound feet. Hence, this particular dynamometer, if employed without modication, could not be used at 12,000 R. P. M. to test a motor of less than 10 H. P. since such a motor cannot develop suflicient torque to swing the rotor of the' dynamometer up to 12,000 R. P. M. It could be used at 12,000 R. P. M. to test more powerful motors, but only for outputs in excess of 10 H. P. or torques greater than 263 pound feet.

Use is made of the auxiliary motor I2 to extend the range of the dynamometer and permit its use for lower torques and powers. Current is supplied to motor I 2 from generator 2U to turn shaft 8 in the same direction that it is being turned by motor I6 under test. The ratio of variable speed transmission 2| is adjusted so as to ,in-Y

crease the frequency of generator enough to make the synchronous speed of auxiliary motor I2 greater than the synchronous speed of motor I6 undergoing test. This increase in the frequency supplied to motor I2 increases its slip and causes it to pick up a part of the load that would otherwise be carried by motor I6. A sufficient increase in frequency of the power supply to motor I2 will reduce the torque on motor I6 to Zero, and even reverse its direction when the speed of motor I2 exceeds the no load speed of motor I6. Consequently, the motor I6 can now be tested at 12,000 R. P. M. down to zero torque and Zero horse power output instead of, as before, down to a minimum torque of 263 pound feet and a minimum power output of l0 H. P. This assumes, of course, that the motor I2 is of at least 10 H. P. In general, in order that torques down to zero can be tested at all speeds of rotation, the motor I2 should be of sufficient power to spin the moving element of the dynamometer at the highest speed desired when the dynamometer is set to give its minimum possible torque for this speed. For eddy current dynamometers, this will correspond to zero magnetic field and vanishing electromagnetic drag.

It is to be noted that the torque produced by motor I2 is entirely internal tothe dynamometer structure and consequently has no effect upon the torque registered by the lever arm attached to the outer shell of the dynamometer. This shows only the external torque exerted upon the dynamometer by motor I6. It is, therefore, entirely unnecessary to know the value of the torque exerted by motor I2, since it does not enter into the determination of the torque exerted by the motor under test. It is only necessary that the torque exerted by motor I2 be suflicient in magnitude to reduce the external torque to the desired value.

The arrangement shown is highly advantageous in the testing of high cycle induction motors at various speeds. If the frequency changer is set for a test at 12,000 R. P. M. and the speed of motor or prime mover I8 is changed to increase the frequency of alternator II so as to drive motor I6 at 14,000 R. P. M., the motor I9 of the frequency changer, being also connected to the alternator I'I, will automatically increase the speed and cause generator 20 to supply a correspondingly higher frequency to motor I2. Due to this automatic correlation between the frequencies supplied to motors I6 and I2, one setting of the ratio on variable speed transmission 2| will suffice for testing motor I6 over a considerable range of speed.

While for simplicity I have described one type of frequency changer, I may employ other types. In place of the auxiliary frequency changer I 9 I have employed a frequency changer of the wound rotor induction type driven `by a multispeed motor capable of running at selected constant R. P. M. In this case the primary of the frequency changer was excited from the same source of alternating current which supplies motor I6, and the modified frequency from the secondary was applied to motor I2.

I claim:

1. A device for measuring the torque of lnduction motors in which the speed is varied by speed of the motor, a dynamometer to measure the torque of the motor, an auxiliary induction motor with a stator secured to the shell ofv the dynamometer and a rotor secured to. its shaft, and a frequency changer wfhichis supplied with current from the source of alternating current and which supplies to theauxiliary induction motor current of a frequency Ato make its no load speed gerater than the nov load speed of the motor under test. Y

2. A device for measuring the torque 'of induction motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency cf the current supply comprising a source of alternating current to drive the motor undergoing test, means for'varying the frequency of the current to control the speed of the motor, an eddy current dynamometer to measure the torque of the motor, an auxiliary induction motor with a stator secured to the shell of the dynamometer and arotor se# cured to its shaft; and 4a'ffrequency changer which 'is supplied with current from the source of alternating current and which supplies to the auxiliary induction motor current of a frequency to make its no load speed greater than the no load speed of the motor under test.

3. In a device for measuring the torque of electric motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency of the power supply, a dynamometer, an auxiliary motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, said auxiliary motor being responsive in speed to the frequency of the current supplied to it, and one of said motors being capable of considerable slip, means to supply a1- ternating current to the motor under test, and means to supply alternating current of a rdif-- ferent frequency to the auxiliary motor to make its no load speed greater than the no load speed of the motor under test.

4. In a device for measuring the torque of electric motors in which the speed is rVaried by changing the frequency of the power supply, a dynamometer, an auxiliary motor to exert an internal VVtorque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, said auxiliary motor being responsive in speed to the frequency of the current supplied to it, and one of said motors being capable of considerable slip, means to supply alternating current to the motor under test, and means to vary the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the auxiliary motor relative to the frequency of the current supplied to the motor under test.

5. In a device for measuring the torque of electric motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency of the power supply, a dynamometer, an auxiliary motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamo-meter in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, said auxiliary motor being responsive in speed to the frequency of the current supplied to it, and one of said motors being capable of considerable slip, means to supply alternating current to the motor under test, and means to supply alternating current of different frequencies to the auxiliary motor to make its no load speed for any given frequency ofr a fixed ratio relative to the no load speed of the motor under test.

6. In a device for measuring the torque of electric motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency of the power supply, a dynamometer, an auxiliary motor `to exertY an internal torque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, said auxiliary motor being responsive in speed to the frequency of the current supplied to it, and one of said motors being capable of considerable slip, means to supply alternating current to the motor under test, and means to supply alternating current to the auxiliary motor of a frequency relative to that supplied to the motor under test to effect the carrying of a part of the load of said dynamometer by the auxiliary motor.

7. In a device for measuring the torque of induction motors in which the speed is varied by changing-the frequency of the power supply, an eddy current dynamometer, an auxiliary induction motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, means to supplyalternating current to the motor under test, and means to supply alternating current of a different frequency to the auxiliary induction motor to make its no load speed greater than the no load speed of the motor under test.

8. In a device for measuring the torque of induction motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency of the power supply, a dynamometer, an auxiliary induction motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required tov turn the moving element, a source of alternating current to run the motor undergoing test, means to vary the frequency of the source to change the speed of the motor, and a frequency changer connected to said variable frequency source tcsupply the auxiliary induction motor with alternating currentl having a frequency which is approximately proportional to the frequency of the source and of such magnitude as to make the no load speed of the auxiliary motor greater than the no load speed of the motor under test.

9. In a device for measuring the torque of induction motors in which the speed is varied by changing the frequency of the power supply, an eddy current dynamometer, an auxiliary induction motor to exert an internal torque between the 'stationary and the moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to turn the moving element, a source of alternating current to run the motor undergoing test, means to vary the frequency of the source to change the speed of the motor, and a frequency changer connected to said variable frequency source to supply the auxiliary induction motor with alternating current having a frequency which is approximately proportional t-o the frequency of the source and of such magnitude as to make the no load speed ofl the auxiliary motor greater than the no load speed of the motor under test.

10. In a device for measuring torque, a dynamometer, an induction motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to maintain the moving element ata given speed of rotation, and means to vary the speed of the induction motor.

11. In a device for measuring torque, an eddy current dynamometer, an induction motor to exert an internal torque between the stationary and moving elements of the dynamometer in order to reduce the external torque required to maintain the moving element at a given speed of rotation, and means to vary the speed of the induction motor.

12. In a device for measuring torque, a dynamometer attached to measure the torque of a motor, an auxiliary motor for exerting a torque between the stationary and moving parts of the dynamometer to compensate for at least a part of the internal load of said dynamometer during the testing of a motor, and means to vary the torque output of said auxiliary motor substantially proportional to the torque output of the motor under test.

13. In a device for measuring torque, a dynamometer attached to measure the torque of an electric motor, an auxiliary electric motor exerting a torque between the stationary and moving parts of the dynamometer to compensate for at least a part of the internal load of said dynamometer during the testing of said first named motor, and means to vary the frequency of the electric current driving said auxiliary motor substantially in proportion to the frequency of the electric current driving the motor under test to give a substantially accurate dynamometer reading for said motor under test at different speeds therefor.

14. In a device for measuring torque, a dynamometer having a variable load depending upon speed of rotation, a booster motor having a predetermined variable output connected to drive the shaft of the dynamometer and compensating for the varying load of said dynamometer to obtain accurate torque readings at different speeds and for variable load conditions above a predetermined minimum, and means for varying the speed of said booster motor.

RAY H. CRIPPS. 

